Fantasy Baseball Advice

Adam Lind looks headed to the DL with back spasms.  Wait until the Iron Shiek gets his hand on Lance Berkman.  You know how he hates ex-members of the Killer B’s.   I break your back!  Make you humble!  And… Well, you can watch the video yourself.  It’s not safe for work, community outreach centers or, really, anywhere there’s anyone else within earshot.  From that point, browse some more Iron Sheik videos.  He has a surprisingly large amount of hatred for a wide array of people and expresses his hatred in the most eloquent of ways.  Okay, that was a long sidebar.  As for Lind, hope he gets DL’d quickly so you can grab someone else.  Yeah, I kinda just wanted to talk about the Iron Sheik.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Vicente Padilla – Mattingly said Padilla could keep closing even after Broxton returns.  I say, it’s early May and things will change.   To misquote my new favorite song, “Padilla is the same man, same that he’s always been.”  All these buckets of rain!  I love that song.  Okay, moving on.

Zack Greinke – 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 9 Ks.  Facing the Padres is the ultimate slumpbuster.

Josh Beckett – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 5Ks in a no decision.  Beckett suddenly has gone from a 5.78/1.54 to a sub-2.00/sub-1.00 ERA/WHIP.  His dad better re-think his rookie card valuation.

Justin Morneau – 2-for-5.  Two hits in one game?!  There hasn’t been a game where he’s done more, no?  The preceding wordplay was brought to you by Highlights Magazine.

Luke Scott – Has a partial tear in his labrum.  I hear that’s common among aspiring female gymnasts.

Javier Vazquez – 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 10 baserunners, 0 Ks.  I’d like to Iron Shiek this guy and make him humble.  Can’t someone make the proper call on the Marlins and send him to the Disgraceful List?  He’s useless.  Really bad year to give up avoiding V**quez pitchers.

Gaby Sanchez – Now has homers in back-to-back games while going 7 for his last 8.  Yo Gaby Gaby!

Roy Oswalt – Will not be ready to return on Friday.  He said, “Stupid tractor’s got its peddles all flippety-flappety.  I don’t know when I can return.”

Domonic Brown – Hitting well in Triple-A.  Time to start stashing him on your bench.

Aneury Rodriguez – 5 IP, 5 ER, 9 baserunners, 3 Ks as he got pitchslapped by Travis Wood and gave me an aneurysm in my NL-Only league.

Chris Iannetta – 2-for-3 with his 5th homer.  I’d say he’s better than Napoli but I’m afraid that I might wake up with El Caballo’s head in my bed.

Pedro Alvarez – 0-for-3.  I liked the 0-for-0′s better.

Ryan Doumit – I saw that he hit a homer last week, but then he was benched.  Then he hit a homer in his next start on Sunday.  Then yesterday he played in his 2nd game in a row and went 3-for-4.  If you play in two catcher leagues, you can grab Doumit, but keep in mind his last name is German for without glove.

Joel Hanrahan – Recorded his 11th save while rocking a 1.42 ERA.  What’s the world coming to?!  Somebody shoot Spider.

Travis Wood – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks.  On Thursday, there’s going to be a post about pitchers that have been unlucky.  Guess who was going to headline it?  You better knock… On Wood!  Yeah, that’s the drawback to writing about a sport that changes every day.  I’d still see if you could get Wood without it costing too much.  And that sounded like a person bargain shopping for brothels.

Mat Latos – 5 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 9 baserunners, 4  Ks.  I get no pleasure from seeing someone I avoided doing poorly.  Actually, that’s a lie.  Schadenfreude!

Carlos Quentin – A HR and 5 RBIs to up his totals to 8 HR and 23 RBIs.  Party like it’s 2008!

Edwin Jackson – 7 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks.  You’re glad you held tight to Jackson now, huh?  What?  You didn’t hold tight?  Oh, your bad.

Vernon Wells – Strained groin.  I used to strain my groin all the time in high school.

Trevor Cahill – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks as he FIP’ed off his non-owners.

Josh Willingham – 2-for-4, 5 RBIs and his 6th homer while he appeals a suspension for bumping an umpire on Saturday.  This is after BJ Upton had a HR and 7 RBIs during the weekend while appealing a suspension.  If only Milton Bradley had just been himself in Seattle…

Milton Bradley – The Mariners designated Bradley for assignment as he wasn’t meeting their offensive standards (double meaning intended).  How bad is it when the Mariners think your hitting isn’t up to snuff?  It’s like the late 70′s Pirates or 80′s Mets dropping you because you do too much coke.  Milton Bradley is upset but at least he wasn’t replaced by one of the Parker brothers.

At least that’s the creed that Francona and Epstein keep repeating to themselves as they sit in the fetal position on opposite corners of the clubhouse shower. Carl Crawford seems like a nice guy.  Something about the name Carl.  So innocuous.  “Hey, sis, what’s your new boyfriend’s name?  Carl?  I’m gonna like him on Facebook.”  That’s you jibber-jabbering with your family.  Because Carl seems like a nice guy could be partially why it’s so sad to see him struggle this much.  Doode better not stand too close to the Pesky pole in a lightning storm cause he will get struck.  That’s been his luck so far.  Franconian measures were taken to get Crawford going by openly mocking him with a lineup switch.  That never helps.  It’s like when you’re a teenager and your Mom makes an appointment for you to see a dermatologist.  Suddenly, you realize you’re not hiding your acne as good as you thought you were.  Crawford is really doing nothing wrong other than getting extremely unlucky.  That luck will turn around and he’ll suddenly look like the 2nd round pick he was in the preseason.  To misquote a cliche, get in now while the gettin’s not good.  Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:

BUY

Justin Smoak – I just went over my Smoak fantasy.  I wrote it riding on the back of a bicycle through downtown Milwaukee while Shirley steered.

Brett Wallace – Sure, his ESPN Player Card looks like he had some bad work done by Dr. 90210 (you storing acorns in those cheeks, Brett?  Brett looks like he says, “Franks and beans!  Franks and beans!”), but he’s hitting at a near-.600 clip over the last week.

Brandon Wood – He’s one of the top prospects in the game!  Low voice:  From 6 years ago.

David Cooper – With the demotion of Snider (don’t write), Cooper will fill-in as the Jays DH.  For the Triple-A Vegas Fake Boobs, Cooper slashed .395/.438/.617.  His BABIP was silly ridiculous, so the average there isn’t happening but his power is decent.  When you put ‘decent power’ into Google translator, it spits back ‘Above James Loney but below Justin Smoak.  Say Ike Davis.  No, you don’t have to literally say it.’  Geez, Google translator sounds a bit testy.  In AL-Only leagues, he’s a must own — obviously.  I’d take a flyer on him in deeperish mixed leagues, depending on how bad you muffed your corner infidel slot.

Sergio Santos – This is probably still Mergio Salthorntos’ job, but Serge is a nose ahead.

Eduardo Sanchez – Similar shituation to the White Sox.  It’s not clearly Eduardo’s job.  Imagine, if you will, you’re traveling through another dimension — a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind.  A journey into a wondrous land where Ozzie and La Russa make every decision for you.  You order a burger then a steak then a piece of chicken.  You get your car washed, decide halfway through that you need a shower and hop out of your car.  You go to the movies and leave halfway through the opening credits.  That’s a signpost up ahead:  your next stop:  the Twilight Zone!

Vicente Padilla – I’d go with Kuo first.  Speaking of which…

Hong-Chih Kuo – Hello, I wish to welcome everyone who was sent here from the ellipsis in Padilla’s blurb.  Make yourself comfortable.  Can I offer you some tea?

Darren Oliver – He sounds like a sitcom character.  Not a funny one.  The straight man.  Not that there’s anything wrong with being straight.  Feliz is a lock to be saving games in a week (please, God, let that be true), but I’d own Oliver in the mean’s while.

Wilson Ramos – Grey’s Prediction That Doesn’t Matter At All Of The Day:  Ramos is going to be on and off waivers all year then will be drafted next year around 140 overall as he appears on sleeper lists all across the interwebs.

Mike Aviles – Not a huge fan, but he’s on his way to 15/15 season and his average should come up.

Jeff Baker – Baker has been so hot.  Like an oven.

Darwin Barney – The Purple Evolutionist, as someone coined him in the comments the other day, is hitting over his head, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ride the hot schmotato.

Clint Barmes – He’s still available in my NL-Only league and I’m not exactly rushing to pick him up.  Never the hoo!  If you’re rocking someone two eggs short of an omelet, I’d stash Barmes.

Domonic Brown – Pick him up now, DL him for a few weeks, then trade him a day before he returns.  Or ride the Brown lightning.  Hmm, that sounds kinda weird.

Randy Wolf – Could someone please make a t-shirt with three pictures of Wolf howling at the moon?  That is all.

Scott Baker – Rudy likes Scott Baker.  This was brought to you by the Committee of Grey Endorsing Baker Without Really Endorsing Him.

Alex White – Just went over Alex White this morning.  Scroll on, scroller!

Brandon Beachy – Me telling you to grab Beachy seems so three Buy/Sell’s ago, but he’s still only owned in 23% of ESPN leagues.  The same Beachy that has 31 Ks in 29 1/3 IP, a 31:9 K:BB and a 1.09 WHIP.

SELL

Gordon Beckham – Hitting under .200 with 2 homers and 1 steal.  At this point, I’d prefer to own Gordon Shumway.  I think it’s fair to say we can move on from this schmohawk.

Aubrey Huff – Depends on the league whether you’re dropping him or trading him (as with most of these guys), but I warned you in the preseason of Huff’s Saberhagenish on/off years.  In fact, I’ll quote it for you cause that’s how I roll, “A big flashing red arrow is pointing at his alternate seasons of 15 home runs a piece in 2007 and 2009.  If you get an off season from Huff, you’ve just lost your league.  That’s just me being real wit’ you.  You see the truth is everybody wanna know how close me and Huff is.  Or who I’m still cool wit’.”  And that’s me quoting me and paraphrasing Dr. Dre!  Can we get Detox already?  I need a doctor.

Bobby Abreu – Getting some spring cleaning done here.  I think Abreu’s done cause he looks cooked.

Wade Davis – I’m not telling you to drop him, but I’m wondering in the dark recesses of my medulla oblongata if you can sell Davis for more ducats than he’s worth.  Obviously, I’m talking deep leagues here since he’s not even owned in all leagues.  He is pitching far above his head ratio-wise.  His K-rate is atrocious (4+) and he’s getting lucky with balls hit into play.  In AL-Only leagues, I wouldn’t sell him for a white chocolate dipped fortune cookie, but I’d explore offers.

Justin Smoak has back-to-back days with home runs and back-to-back-to-back games with a home run.  Say that fast 117 times!  Where there’s Smoak, there’s fire!  See what I did there?!  Did you see?!  Yeah, of course you did, it was pretty obvious.  Smoak seems to be the hot schmotato of the moment.  (Hot schmotato hasn’t made its official way yet into the glossary.  Just taking it out for a test drive, seeing how it feels.  It does have that new Razzball glossary word smell.)  If you’re currently rocking a corner infidel that doesn’t excite you or your nipples, grab Smoak.  Kid’s got talent and might just be coming into his own.  The lost Smoak monster is found!  (BTW, he was a preseason sleeper.  Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, bassoon.)  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Erik Bedard – 7 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 3 Ks.  When he’s healthy, he’s usually pretty a’ight, so, sure, I’d grab him.  As Fonzie’s horse would say, what the hey!

Yovani Gallardo – 5 IP, 6 ER, 13 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Fudge!  Only I didn’t say fudge, I said the mother of all curse words.

Mark Teixeira – Left the game with a shoulder injury.  Joe Girardi said it wasn’t serious.  Then again, Joe Girardi wears braces.  We’re supposed to believe this guy?  Does Joe Girardi own Te(i)x on his fantasy team?  Well?

Phil Hughes – His arm went through five more hours of testing.  Hopefully his arm gets into its school of choice.

Bartolo Colon – 8 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 6 Ks. You should pick him up (for someone else’s team after stealing their password).

Eduardo Sanchez – 1 IP, 2 ER with the save.  This is your brain.  This is your brain trying to figure out who La Russa is gonna use to close games.  But whatever cuz Eduardo looked like Retardo Montalban and promptly gave up some runs.  The closing job is cursed!  I’d grab Boggs, Sanchez, Franklin (recorded no outs and gave up 2 runs in this game) or Motte.  Really in any order, and hope you choose right because this closerousel is off the hinges and the horses are going up down all willy-nilly and shizz with no leather straps.

Brett Wallace – 11 for his last 17.  Another hot schmotato.  (It’s starting to feel a bit more comfortable.)  Hitting .524 in the last week.  Yeah, go ahead and grab him.

Roy Oswalt – Left the Phillies due to personal reasons.  A source close to the situation says Oswalt was playing Halladay in Words With Friends and Halladay played “djin” on a triple word and Oswalt threw his cellphone in the garbage and left.

Tommy Hanson – 7 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 10 Ks.  Hommy Tanson!

Chipper Jones – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs.  Glass Chipper has the 2nd most RBIs in the major leagues.  In other news, RBIs are stupid.

Mat Latos – 5 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 5 Ks and 5 unearned runs for the agita-filled ticker shock.

Jeff Francoeur – 2-for-4 with his fifth Freedom Fly.  For Frenchy, this might be as good as it baguettes, but go with him while it’s good.

Jim Thome – The Founding Father of Country Strong is day-to-day with a slight oblique strain.  More time to chop wood and chew tobacco.

Delmon Young – Headed to the DL with ribcage soreness.  Maybe Mauer coughed on his ribs.

Francisco Liriano – 3 IP, 7 ER.  If anyone wants to join me when I go to Hubert H. Homerfree Retrodome to throw a brown bag filled with crap at Liriano, more the merrier.

Tyson Ross – 7 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Maybe I just want some Oakland A’s pitching action because it seems like they all can pitch, but I like Ross.  More in deep leagues than your run-of-the-mill variety, but still.

Carl Crawford – 0-for-4, hitting .156.  His start of the season reminds me of that terrific quote from Lawrence Taylor.  “My life is in the toilet and no one is flushing.”

Ryan Howard – Hit his 4th home run to keep pace with Shane Victorino, who hit his 4th homer earlier in the game.

Domonic Brown – Homered in his first rehab game.  I see your surgically-repaired hamate bone and I raise you a whole lot of talent.

Krispie Young – Hit two Krispie flies.  Not entirely sure why he’s leading off since walking for him is a feat.  Pun point!

Will Venable – 2 steals to bring his total to 8 while he hits .183.  I know what’s going on here, Venable’s trying to get his face on the SAGNOF t-shirt.

Alexi Ogando – When asked if Ogando would stay in the rotation when Hunter, Webb or Feldman returns, Ron Washington said, “I’m not taking him out of the rotation if he continues to pitch like this.  I’m not going to rob Peter to pay Paul.  Paul has to earn his pay.   Ogando is Peter and those guys are Paul.”  Doesn’t that sound like something Jules would say in Pulp Fiction?  Think we know what Washington’s wallet says.

Madison Bumgarner – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks.  Sonavabench!  I’ve figured out what it takes for one of my starters to pitch well.  I have to bench them.  Works like a charm.  A charm that is infected with typhoid fever and gives you the shakes.  A charm, nevertheless.

James McDonald – 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Or I can just drop them.  That works too.

Jose Tabata – 1-for-4, now batting .267.  Member when him, The Dread Pirate and Neil Walker were all batting .350+?  I liked that.  Can we go back to that?

Roger Bernadina – 2-for-2 but didn’t start.  Might want to cover your ears for a second… LET HIM PLAY, NATS!  YOU IDIOTS!

Casey Blake – Out for a month with gray-haired, old man brittle bones.  “I have gray-haired, old man brittle bones!  Watch me creak!”  That’s what Blake said.

Jonathan Broxton – Didn’t appear in the game because his elbow was a little tender.  Or al dente, if you will.

Vicente Padilla – Recorded his first save.  The over/under for Padilla saves is 7.  I’m taking the under.  I highly doubt he gets more than 4 after Kuo returns.  In deep leagues or those leagues where you’re bonkers desperate for saves, by all means.

Andre Ethier – 2-for-5 with his third homer as he pushes his hitting streak to 24 games.  Los Angeles hasn’t seen a streak like this since Mike Piazza frosted his hair.

Philadelphia Phillies 2010 Minor League Review
Overall Farm Rankings via Baseball America (2010)
2010 (5) | 2009 (12) | 2008 (22) | 2007 (21) | 2006 (22) | 2005 (20) | 2004 (21)

Record of Major and Minor League Teams
MLB: [97 – 65] NL East
AAA: [58 – 86] International League – Lehigh Valley
AA: [69 – 72] Eastern League – Reading
A+: [67 – 72] Florida League – Clearwater
A: [84 – 55] South Atlantic – Lakewood
A(ss): [43 – 33] New York Pennsylvania League – Williamsport
R: [32 – 24] Gulf League

The Run Down
The Phillies 2010 farm system ranking is prior to acquiring Cliff Lee. Their adjusted ranking would be 18 and this year are ranked eleventh. Assume the higher ranking is based upon Domonic Brown’s hype and Jonathan Singleton’s ceiling, not to forget the talented Brody Colvin, Trevor May and Jarred Cosart. Beyond these top names – which are their top five prospects – their system lacks quality depth. They could easily fall hard like the Marlins did in their 2011 ranking (7th to 29th after they graduated Logan Morrison, Gaby Sanchez and Mike Stanton). The broken hamate bone of Domonic Brown definitely puts a damper on his immediate impact; most people know by now that the hamate bone usually takes a full year to fully recover and recoup their power. Singleton is still a couple years from sniffing the majors and with a loaded rotation, most of their young pitchers should be able to develop without being rushed.

Graduating Prospects
(OF) John Mayberry Jr.; (RHP) David Herndon

Arizona Fall League Players Mesa Solar Sox
Pitchers – (RHP) Tyson Brummett; #29 (RHP) Justin De Fratus; (RHP) Chris Kissock; #24 (RHP) B.J. Rosenberg; (RHP) Josh Zeid
Hitters – (C) Tim Kennelly; (1B) Matt Rizzotti

Players of Interest for 2010
Hitters
#1 Domonic Brown | RF | D.o.B: 9-3-87 | Stats (AA/AAA): .327/.391/.589 | 343 AB | 46 XBH | 20 Hr | .262 ISO | 17/7 SB/CS | 74:37 K:BB | .345 BABIP (AA); .395 BABIP (AAA)
At this point, everyone should know what to expect with Brown. Just keep expectations in check when he does return as a broken hamate bone usually takes a full year to recoup the lost power. See Grey’s 2011 Fantasy Outlook for more information on Domonic Brown’s fantasy value. A dated, but still informative Scouting the Unknown article provides more details on his minor league career. Current BA ranking is number one.

#8 (SEA) Tyson Gillies | CF | D.o.B: 10-31-88 | Stats (AA): .238/.286/.333 | 105 AB | 5 XBH | 2 Hr | .095 ISO | 2/2 SB/CS | 24:5 K:BB | .291 BABIP
Struggled with a hamstring issue all season that limited him to only 105 at-bats. He was also arrested with possession of cocaine but charges were later dropped. Gillies has a slap-hitting approach, plays good defense and struggles to use his plus-plus speed efficiently on the base paths. If several injuries are sustained at the major league level, Gillies is the closest minor league outfielder – after Brown – to being ready for the majors. Could be Michale Bourn II. Current BA ranking is number 16.

Harold Garcia | 2B | D.o.B: 10-25-86 | Stats (A+/AA): .305/.365/.441 | 410 AB | 35 XBH | 5 Hr | .136 ISO | 29/11 SB/CS | 94:27 K:BB | .399 BABIP (A+); .353 BABIP (AA)
Has gap-power, solid defense and can play everywhere on the field besides catcher, center field and pitcher. Profiles as a utility player. With Utley injured with an unknown time table, Garcia could be an intriguing play if he’s called up. Reminds me of Chris Coghlan with a bit more speed. Current BA ranking is number 22.

Pitchers
#18 Vance Worley | RHP | D.o.B: 9-25-87 | Stats (AA/AAA): 6.8 K/9 | 2.6 BB/9 | 158 IP | 3.36 ERA | 3.80 FIP (AA); 3.20 FIP (AAA) | 1.30 WHIP | .7 Hr/9 | 9.1 H/9 | .303 BABIP (AA); .313 BABIP (AAA)
Fastball sits between 88 and 92 MPH that can touch 94 MPH. He also throws a slider, a curveball and a changeup at different parts on the average spectrum. I stated in the 2009 Minor League Review that, “I don’t really like Worley.” Still don’t. In limited time in the majors in 2010, Worley had a 12 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched. He’s not a high-strikeout pitcher and his ceiling is an back-end of the rotation pitcher. In Philly that just isn’t gonna cut it this year or the next. Could be a bullpen filler come middle of the season. Current BA ranking is number 11.

#18 (SEA) J.C. Ramirez | RHP | D.o.B: 8-16-88 | Stats (A+/AA): 7.3 K/9 | 2.6 BB/9 | 142 IP | 4.82 ERA | 3.06 FIP (A+); 4.50 FIP (AA) | 1.36 WHIP | .8 Hr/9 | 9.6 H/9 | .319 BABIP (A+); .321 BABIP (AA)
Throws a consistent 92 to 94 MPH fastball but can top out at 98 MPH. Slider isn’t very tight and his changeup needs a lot of refinement. Projects best as a power reliever but could be a solid number three starter if pitches can become more consistent. Current BA ranking is number 17.

#4 (SEA) Phillippe Aumont | RHP | D.o.B: 1-7-88 | Stats (A+/AA): 8.5 K/9 | 5.9 BB/9 | 122 IP | 5.68 ERA | 4.14 FIP (A+); 5.37 FIP (AA) | 1.71 WHIP | .7 Hr/9 | 9.5 H/9 | .351 BABIP (A+); .331 BABIP (AA)
No longer a starter, Aumont’s 91 to 97 MPH fastball and sharp curveball projects better as a closer.  See Phillipe Aumont’s Scouting the Unknown article for further details. Current BA ranking is number 14.

Austin Hyatt | RHP | D.o.B: 5-23-86 | Stats (A+/AA): 11.1 K/9 | 2.7 BB/9 | 146 1/3 IP | 3.32 ERA | 2.13 IP (A+); 4.65 FIP (AA) | 1.13 WHIP | .6 Hr/9 | 7.4 H/9 | .317 BABIP (A+); .293 BABIP (AA)
With a 88 to 92 MPH fastball and a changeup that breaks/fades like a screwball, Hyatt needs to always be on his A-game to be successful – his “stuff” isn’t going to win any outings. Both Sickels and BA state that Hyatt’s high strikeouts are a product of inexperienced hitters struggling with his deceptive changeup, but more experienced hitters will produce better results. Good thing that in 2011 Hyatt should be pitching in Double-A where he only had thrown 22 innings in his career before (all in 2010) to test his true potential. Current BA ranking is number 24.

Honorable Mentions
Hitters
#20 Jonathan Singleton | 1B/LF | D.o.B: 9-18-91 | Stats (A): .290/.393/.479 | 376 AB | 41 XBH | 15 Hr | .189 ISO | 9/7 SB/CS | 74:62 K:BB | .321 BABIP
He has “uncanny balance and rhythm at the plate,” and good pitch recognition. With a simple swing that is compact, he has above-average raw power. Not athletic. Reminds me of Delmon Young with more patience. That is a compliment. Young was a great prospect and still maturing into a solid big leaguer. Still needs to repeat to provide solid footing to build confidence. Should receive a Scouting the Unknown article during the 2011 summer. Current BA ranking is number two.

#7 Sebastian Valle | C | D.o.B: 7-24-90 | Stats (A): .255/.295/.430 | 485 AB | 45 XBH | 16 Hr | .175 ISO | 3/2 SB/CS | 101:27 K:BB | .289 BABIP
Good power, average defense, pull-happy and young. Valle has all the tools of the perfect fantasy baseball catcher. Now his defense will need to bring him to the majors in due time. ETA would be 2013. Current BA ranking is number six.

Pitchers
#5 Trevor May | RHP | D.o.B: 9-23-89 | Stats (A/A+): 12.1 K/9 | 5.4 BB/9 | 135 IP | 4.0 ERA | 1.94 FIP (A); 4.76 FIP (A+) | 1.37 WHIP | .7 Hr/9 | 6.9 H/9 | .331 BABIP (A); .295 BABIP (A+)
May throws a 91 to 95 MPH fastball, a near plus-curveball (77 to 79 MPH) and a 81 MPH changeup. Mechanically, he needs to improve and refine to become more consistent. Ceiling is a low end number one starter or number two starter. Do note that his walk rate tripled when moving from Low-Single-A to High-Single-A (A = 2.4 BB/9; BB/9 at A+= 7.8 BB/9 in 70 innings). Innings were split fairly evenly between the two levels. Look for May to receive a September call-up. Current BA ranking is number five.

#12 Brody Colvin | RHP | D.o.B: 8-14-90 | Stats (A): 7.8 K/9 | 2.7 BB/9 | 138 IP | 3.39 ERA | 3.23 FIP | 1.30 WHIP | .5 Hr/9 | 9.0 H/9 | .315 BABIP
A 92 to 94 MPH fastball that touches 97 MPH with a upper 70s curveball and a 83 to 85 MPH changeup. Has a large frame to fill into, was arrested on three misdemeanors in February 2010, and ceiling is number two starter. ETA 2013/14. Current BA ranking is number three.

#8 Jarred Cosart | RHP | D.o.B: 5-25-90 | Stats (A): 9.7 K/9 | 2.0 BB/9 | 71 1/3 IP | 3.79 ERA | 2.47 FIP | 1.10 WHIP | .4 Hr/9 | 7.6 H/9 | .297 BABIP
Fastball between 94 and 98 MPH with good life. Also throws an average 77 to 79 MPH curveball and a average changeup. Ceiling is a number one starter but has history of nagging injuries – no significant injuries to note. Does have scouts questioning maturity and work ethic. The talent is there, but the consistency and health need to be more stable. Current BA ranking is number four.

Rookie pitchers give you a roofie.  Rookie hitters give you agita.  So why do we keep going back for more like a guest on Montel?  It’s sorta like the old joke that Woody Allen quotes in Annie Hall.  We need the eggs.  Besides said eggs, if a rookie somehow/someway breaks out, he’ll help you win your championship.  If you draft properly in the first 7 to 10 rounds, your team will be competitive, but so should other teams.  It’s what you do after those rounds that makes the difference.  You’re not winning your league with Longoria in the first round, but you could with Mike Minor in the 20th.  As wonky as that sounds, it’s true.  If you click on the player’s name, you’ll find whole posts and projections for each guy.  It’s like Santa woke up drunk in March.  Anyway, here’s some rookies to target for 2011 fantasy baseball:

Mike Minor – In my pitchers’ pairings post, I told you to grab Mike Minor or Jordan Zimmermann on every team.  Then I see teams in the comments that don’t have either with a variation of this comment, “Grey (insert compliment), what do you think of my team?”  I don’t think you have Mike Minor or Jordan Zimmermann, that’s what I think.

Jesus Montero – I wrote the post you find under Montero’s linky-ma-jig prior to the Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr. fiasco.  Montero should be owned in all keeper leagues and I don’t mind taking a flyer on him late in two catcher leagues, but, as of right now, he’s not going to get enough looks for one catcher leagues.  If J. Martin gets hurt (very possible with a side of “It’s going to happen at some point”), Montero will be a hot add across all leagues.

Jeremy Hellickson – For ratios, I give Hellickson the best rookie starter numbers.  Better than even our friend, Mike Minor (well, he’s my friend).  The Rays are pretty conservative and I don’t see them abusing Hellickson’s arm so he will probably be skipped most of September if he starts in the rotation out of the gate.

Michael Pineda – Just went over him yesterday, but you knew that because you follow along every day, right?  Mmm-hmm.

Domonic Brown – Tough (hamate bone) break for Brown for this year.  To look at the glass as half full, the shine is going to be off of Brown for 2012.  Hopefully those damn Mayans are wrong.

Chris Carter – Back in January, Chris Carter said this, “I’m still thinking it’s my job to lose, basically.  It’s a business.  They want to win and make the team better.”  That isn’t as great a quote as, “Who are you, Karim Garcia?  I do not know you,” but it’s still pretty solid.  It’s like you go into a job interview and say, “If you want the burgers to get flipped right, I’ll get hired.  What, you want crap burgers?”  Unfortunately, Carter’s in Make Believe Land hanging with the Easter Bunny.  It’s not his job to lose.

Aroldis Chapman – Let’s quote what I said back in November of last year, “Fidel Castro used to karaoke Sublime by singing, “I don’t practice Santeria, I can’t see Aroldis’ fastball.”  It’s fast.  We’ll leave it at that.  There’s really no question.  Let’s give some numbers now.  In 26 IP of his rookie year, 25 Ks, 1.15 WHIP and a 2.42 ERA.  Then in his sophomore year, his numbers were 160 2/3 IP, 130 Ks, 1.51 WHIP and a 4.82 ERA.  His wildness really stopped him from being successful with 96 walks.  There were definitely some flashes of brilliance, but almost completely unownable in fantasy.  Wait, next year hasn’t happened yet. Oh, right, random italicized voice.  My bad.  Those are the rookie and sophomore numbers for Randy Johnson.  These two aren’t the same player, but A) Randy is the player Chapman is most compared to B) Aroldis is a wild, nasty lefty C) There’s no C.”  And that’s me quoting me!  I do think Aroldis in the bullpen has a better chance of success.  When he finally moves into the rotation, I’m going to preach caution.

Freddie Freeman – I’ve been pretty down on Freeman, in the non-sexual way, since I wrote his post back in November.  He’s just a’ight in NL-Only leagues.  For clarification purposes, “just a’ight” is less than “a’ight” and way below “a’ight a’ight.”

Danny Espinosa – Anyone that has read this site for any extended period of time knows I love to punt middle infield and go for upside.  Espinosa has already found his way on multiple teams and I’m not done drafting all my teams yet.

Mike Moustakas – Recently, I was doing research for a screenplay and I had to read some parenting books.  There’s this thing parents do called a stall tactic.  For instance, “Mommy, can we go to the park tomorrow?”  Then Mommy says, “We’ll see.”  They’re stalling on a decision.  This is bad.  So what does this mean for baseball?  Dayton Moore is a bad parent.  Let Moustakas go to the park!

Desmond Jennings – Aroundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man and it’s Johnny Damon.  In keepers, I’d still pursue Jennings, but, without injuries, we might not see Jennings in any real capacity until next year.

Dustin Ackley – It’s looking like the Mariners may give Ackley a shot to play 2nd base right out of the gate.  An upside MI flyer?  Yes, please and thank you.  Then I look at Ackley’s minor league numbers and think, “Um, whatever.”  Everyone thinks Ackley is going to grow into a force.  Key words here are “going to grow.”  In 2011, you’re going to get numbers that are fairly similar to Crapolanco.  BTW, there’s an announcement coming on Monday.  Batten down your hatches!  Or is it button?